What to see / Monuments

Santiago's present-day Food Market was built in 1941. The previous City Market, which was demolished in 1937 to make way for the current building, was the first permanent structure housing the different markets that existed in Compostela at that time.

16th century. The construction of the present-day building was commissioned in 1501 by the Catholic Monarchs in order to take care of the sick and the pilgrims of the divine Xacobe, according to the Latin inscription along the façade's upper frieze. Nevertheless, its construction had already been decided in 1492, coinciding with the discovery of America. 

Mid-18th c. Baroque. This ornamental façade, just over 3 metres deep and facing Puerta de Platerías (cathedral door), closes the beautiful square of which it forms part. It was built in 1758 by the architect Clemente Fernández Sarela with a purely theatre-like function: that of closing the square.

This monastery is situated in Plaza de la Inmaculada and was founded by a group of Benedictines who, shortly after the discovery of the Apostle's remains, settled in the place called Pignario, near the Chapel of Corticela (now part of the Cathedral), where they held their services. The main developments took place after 1494, when it came under the Benedictine Congregation of Valladolid. Thereafter the wealth they accumulated enabled them to undertake the impressive construction of the church, which, along with the Cathedral, is the most valuable building of Galicia's baroque style.

9th-18th c. Baroque. It was founded in the 11th century by Alfonso II with twelve Benedictine monks in order to look after and render worship to the recently discovered tomb of the Apostle James. The present-day construction belongs almost entirely to the 17th and 18th centuries, since the original one was demolished. 

12th c. Romanesque. Built in the 12th century on the banks of the River Sar, it is the church, along with the Cathedral, that still has the greatest proportion of its original Romanesque structure. 

16th c. This school was commissioned by Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca, converting the house where he was born and which belonged to his influential family for educational purposes. It began to function in 1544 and was later used to house the University of Compostela, created with the patronage of his family at the beginning of the century.

Mid-18th c. Baroque. Urban palace designed by Clemente Fernández Sarela and built for the Marquis and Marquise of Bendaña. It was finished in 1759. It stands out because of its artistic balconies with railings that reflect Compostela's baroque style and the statue of Atlas or Hercules supporting the globe of the world that crowns the façade above the marquis and marquise's coat of arms.

Founded in 1610 by Archbishop Juan de Sanclemente y Torquemada to teach theology, its name San Clemente de Pasantes refers to the fact that only doctors, i.e. graduates, were accepted.

Late 17th c. Baroque. Designed by Domingo de Andrade, it was altered in the 20th century with the addition of the upper balustrade and another floor. Its decoration stands out because of the use of bunches of grapes bordering the upper and lower doors on the right, as well as corbels carved at the bottom of the balcony and the monumental chimney.

18th Century. Neoclassical. This neoclassical building of huge columns was erected with drawings of Melchor de Prado between 1769 and 1805, on the site that had occupied the College of Compañía de Jesús. The top floor was added at the end of 19th century. The pediment representing Minerva was then replaced by the giant statues of benefactors of the University: Lope Gómez de Marzoa, Juan de Ulloa, Alvaro de Cadaval and the count of Monterrey.

17th c. Baroque. It was built by the Jesuits in the 17th century. It contains valuable altarpieces, with the Main Altar by Simón Rodríguez as the most outstanding one.

17th c. The 'Colexio de San Xerome' was formerly the so-called 'Estudio Vello' (Old Study), established by Archbishop Fonseca III for poor students, near the Convent of San Martiño. When the monks of San Martiño Pinario bought it in order to extend the convent, this new building was built in Praza do Obradoiro.

18th c. Baroque. This civil building was designed according to the criteria of the baroque style. The coat of arms of the Amarante-Camarasa family stands out in the façade. It was formerly the courthouse until a few years ago.

18th c. This palace is located behind the luxuriant oak grove of San Lourenzo and was commissioned by Martín Arias, the bishop of Zamora, in the 13th century. It was occupied by Franciscans and in the 11th century it was acquired by the Count and Countess of Altamira, who used it as a residence. 

12th c. Romanesque. This Bishop's Palace, attached to the north side of the Cathedral and facing Praza do Obradoiro, was commissioned by Archbishop Diego Xelmírez in order to replace the former bishop's residence that was demolished during uprisings. On the second floor there is an interesting medieval kitchen and a 13th-century hall used for fiestas and meals.

14th c. This building, also known as 'Casa do Rei Don Pedro', is an example of Compostela's 14th-century civil architecture.

17th and 18th c. During the reign of Elizabeth I of England (16th c.), thousands of Irish fled to the continent due to the queen's political and religious persecution. The exiled Irish formed their own communities in several European countries in order to train priests who would be the future clergy of Ireland.

Bronze sculpture made by César Lombera (1994) located at the beginning of the Alameda Park.